Attached is a fascinating article describing the life of Players' artistes when contributing to The Good Old Days, the long-running BBC music hall show, with which the Players' was closely connected.
Credits: By kind permission of Edward Thomas and The Call Boy
Source: The Call Boy, Autumn 2018, Vol 55, no. 3
The Call Boy is the official journal of the British Music Hall Society and is published four times a year in January, April, July and October. This glossy 36 page magazine is eagerly sought the world over, providing news, views, articles and information on all aspects of music hall and variety.This year’s end of year party will as usual be held at the Royal Air Force Club at 128 Piccadilly and include a two-course supper and a two-half traditional Music Hall show.
As ever, we are assembling a stellar group of artistes and have already signed up:
• Peter John whose “Fairy” is clocking up thousands of hits on YouTube (“She” is much better in the flesh!)
• Eloise Irving, a beautiful singer and harpist
• Martin Milnes – one half of the successful Ferris and Milnes duo
• The established Chairman/accompanist team of Clive Greenwood and Laurence Payne
Event information and booking form
Information for Marylebone Association members
Our forthcoming show on September 7th is attracting plenty of attention and we've been placing a few adverts here and there to help maximise the audience.
Old Time Music Hall in Sherborne
On September 7th, we, (the Players’ Theatre Club) have been invited to pay a return visit to Sherborne. It will be at the Digby Hall, Hound Street. Curtain up 7.00 p.m.
Tickets cost £12.00 from the Tourist Information Centre, Digby Road, or the Players’ website (www.playerstheatre.co.uk). Enquiries about discounts for group bookings may be made by text to 07770 281746.
The Players’ Theatre Club, is the oldest club dedicated to Old Time Music Hall. We featured regularly in the TV show “The Good Old Days”.
On this occasion our company will consist of the traditional top-hatted, waist-coated Chairman; an orchestra consisting of a single, digitally-dextrous pianist; two Victorian ladies; a beautiful singing harpist; a mysterious mentalist; a balladic baritone; and an unfrocked gentleman of the cloth.
Familiar choruses will be sung, which the audience will be encouraged to sing, aided by an extravagantly lyric-filled programme.
All proceeds will be donated to the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.
Price: £12.00
Bill Halson will be doing a radio interview on Radio Solent on August 31st in Dorchester. Dorset listeners need to tune to 103.8 FM, or Freeview Channel 726.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the departing of Geoffrey Brawn in May. He had a long association with the Players and was, for a number of years its director. There is a detailed appreciation in the current edition of The Call Boy and his Telegraph obituary is attached.
If I catch Alphonso, Tonight! is a play about music hall star Billy Merson. Our very own Miles Jenner plays Billy Merson and Roger Roser is on the piano.
Billy Merson commenced his theatrical career as an acrobat and circus clown before going solo as a comedian. He composed and performed many songs – including ‘The Spaniard That Blighted My Life’. He first sang it in pantomime at Brighton and it played a very significant part in his fortunes thereafter. Having taken London Music Halls by storm in 1910, he went on to perform in revue, musical comedy and film. He is credited with having made the first British talking picture in 1926. Having reached the top of his profession, circumstances conspired against him and he returned to variety work. He last appeared at the Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne, in 1938. It is a story of a man who constantly found himself on the ropes but always bounced back. A born entertainer, he was the inspiration for future generations of comedians and his legacy lives on.
Venue: St. George the Martyr, London SE1 1JA (opposite Borough Tube Station)
Tickets: £12.50 - see www.TheLittleBoxOffice.com/GreenRoom
This is a charity performance with complimentary interval drinks .
Frank, the landlord of the Royal Oak, has kindly invited Players Members and guests to a free buffet from 5pm at the pub prior to the performance. Cash Bar!
An event not to be missed!
